Difference Between Social Service and Social Work

Social Service vs Social Work
 

The difference between social service and social work mainly exists in their structure. Man has all along been called a social animal and rightly so. Ask a person to live alone, and he will develop all sorts of mental and psychological problems that reflect man’s need to be in touch with other human beings. To be moved by other’s plight is a basic instinct of human beings that drive many to work in the field of social work. Man has been bestowed with emotions by God. As a result of the feelings of love and affection, as well as the ability to be moved by sufferings of others make human beings do something for fellow brethren. There are instances of people going abroad to serve people in distress. The term social work and social service are two concepts that despite being highly similar confuse a lot as there are some basic differences that people fail to understand. This article attempts to highlight these differences for the benefit of the readers.

What is Social Work?

Social work is a profession as well as an academic discipline that expects to improve the quality of life and the well-being of people who are especially under some kind of distress such as poverty. Social work conducts different activities such as researches, direct practices, teaching for the well-being of people who face social disadvantages due to situations such as poverty, social injustice, etc.

A social worker is someone who has got the required academic degree in the field of social work. Such a person is considered to be equipped with the knowledge essential to work in all sorts of conditions. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master in Social Work (MSW) are two degrees that are popular in the world. These educational qualifications are required by companies working in this field. Social work is a field of study that draws from many subjects and is considered interdisciplinary.

Social worker

What is Social Service?

Social services are generally those services that are provided by the government or private organizations, or it can even be an individual. Governments that are socialist in nature, or even democracies, do a lot of social service in the form of free education, free health care, and free housing and clothing for the poor.

On the other hand, any work that is done by an individual, to improve the quality of life of others is also considered as social service. This shows that social service is not limited to the government bodies. For example, you may have seen celebrities engage in various fundraising events for programmes such as building schools for children in Africa, providing pure water, providing medicine for hospitals, etc. All these activities are examples for social services. Most of these celebrities do not possess a degree in social work that gets the word social worker for them. Still, they are making the world a better place. So, the word that we can use to their service is social service.

Fundraising event

What is the difference between Social Service and Social Work?

Social work and social service are intricately linked together as social service is done by those having achieved a degree in this field, though there are many who have risen in stature without having received formal education in the field of social work. To be a social worker, it is not necessary to get a degree in this field as has been proved in the past with great social workers who had no formal education in this field. But to get a decent job with regular income in private or government sectors, it is prudent to study the subject of social work and get a degree that may come handy in letting an individual achieve his desire to do social work, and yet be able to earn decently to fulfill his obligations towards his family

• Definition of Social Service and Social Work:

• Social work is a profession as well as an academic discipline that expects to improve the quality of life and the well-being of people who are especially under some kind of distress.

• Social services are, generally, those services that are provided by the government or private organizations such as free education, health facilities, etc.

• Structure:

• Social work is done by organizations where social workers work.

• Social service is done by governments or organizations, as well as individuals.

• Educational Background:

• To be a social worker, you need to have educational qualifications as a degree.

• To do social service, you do not need to have any educational qualifications in the field of social services.

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